Directing Manoy Eddie

Now showing nationwide is ML, a movie about the Martial Law that won (yet another) Best Actor plum for Eddie Garcia at the recent 2018 Cinemalaya for his performance as The Colonel interviewed by three post-Martial Law college students (played by Tony Labrusca, Lianne Valentin and Henz Villaraiz) who end up getting more than what they bargained for.

At the helm is relative directing newcomer Benedict Mique (also the storywriter) who has honed his craft in TV dramas. Produced by Lonewolf Films and released through Solar Pictures, ML also won Best Editing and finished one of the highest-grossing films in the history of Cinemalaya.

Here’s Funfare’s exclusive interview with Direk Benedict:

What’s the difference between directing a veteran like Eddie Garcia and a newcomer like Tony Labrusca?

“With Tito Eddie, I just had to explain to him the overall style and mood of the film plus the back story of the character, then I just let him loose and do his magic. With Tony being a newcomer, I had to guide him especially with the emotional continuity of the character and certain nuances that were needed. It helped na maski first film niya ito ay matalino si Tony and he easily understood instructions aside from being dedicated and passionate sa craft niya. I also brainstormed with him about his character’s back story and did a script reading session para pagdating sa shoot ay minor adjustments na lang.”

Were you not intimidated by Eddie who is a great director in his own right?

“I was lucky enough to have directed him on TV kaya medyo comfortable na rin ako sa kanya. But doing a film is different. I felt more of gratitude actually kasi tinanggap niya ang role and as usual he was very professional. And during the shoot, he was open to new ideas kahit kanino galing. Tito Eddie actually had a lot of inputs that improved the film. For me, making a movie as a director, writer and producer requires a balance of being democratic and authoritative at the same time.”

Direk Benedict: Tito Eddie was never intimidating; he’s easy to work with

I bet you were not born yet during Martial Law. How did you relate to (identify with) the movie’s subject matter?

“Actually, I was born during Martial Law, in 1975, but I was too young to really know the state of the nation back then. So I did a lot of readings and spoke to people who lived during that time. Then I recollected my memories of the period and realized that a lot really was forbidden during that time. And a lot of truths were hidden.”

Did you make further research; and how were the cast chosen?

“The kind of torture treatment needed to have factual basis so I had to find actual accounts about it. Dialogues used are actual words that were being used by millennials about Martial Law. Tito Eddie also helped in the research of his costume as a colonel. I had to read about the situation and history of the different factions active during that time.”

What did you learn about Philippine politics from doing the movie?

“I learned na sobrang frustrating ang politics dito sa Pilipinas. Hindi service ang habol ng mga tumatakbo kundi negosyo. And that is actually politics that is preventing the country from progressing, especially the corruption that comes with it.”

What’s next after ML?

“Our company Lonewolf Films, is now in the process of doing two films for Dreamscape Digital for next year, thanks to Sir Deo Endrinal. And we are also open to doing films and other narrative content in all platforms for other companies.”

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